Flooded Pennsylvania Residents Can Get Retroactive Permits

A northeastern Pennsylvania community hit hard by flooding a year ago is allowing residents to apply for retroactive home renovation permits.

Officials in West Pittston say they’re trying to accommodate residents who rebuilt or renovated their homes in the waked of flooding cause by Tropical Storm Lee last September.

The Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice reports renovations and repairs done without a permit could mean the homeowners aren’t in compliance with inspection rules.

Some residents who completed their repairs quickly may not be in compliance with a new flood plain ordinance requiring electrical and heating systems to be located above flood elevation.

Those residents can apply for a zoning variance but the borough’s code enforcement officer says they’ll have to get into compliance if there’s another big flood.